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It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the side capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be captained by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. Replacement striker Brobbey scored an injury-time leveling goal after second-half strikes from Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a first-half goal from the home side captain Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Evening for the Top Flight Front-Runners

Proved to be a rocky night for the Premier League pace-setters, but the Gunners have a seven point lead over City, who are at home the Reds on Sunday, and the hosts, though the Blues could cut the lead to six points in the weekend's evening fixture.

The Midfielder's Influence on Sunderland

The Swiss international – who departed the Arsenal's home in last year seeking what he called a new challenge – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's engine room this season after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Arsenal supporters. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

Sunderland's Impressive Opening

The Black Cats went into the match with nothing to lose after achieving the best start to a Premier League season by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull in the 2008-09 season. A redirected effort from the midfielder against Everton on Monday night had lifted them up to fourth, a position not many local fans would have envisaged before a match began given that their team had been eight years away from the top flight.

Xhaka's Experience and Guidance

Xhaka's experience, much of it earned during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and leadership have helped the team quickly adjust to top-tier soccer. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the contest.

First-Half Incidents and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, leading the line after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's three-nil European win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an arm from Ballard as he attacked a ball into the Sunderland area. The forward was able to play on.

Eberechi Eze almost cashed in of an mistake from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the penalty area, but the attempt soared over the bar.

Isidor fired wide at the opposite side before another lengthy stoppage after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A more painful blow was to come next for bruised the visitors. Sunderland sent a free-kick into the visiting area and the captain held off Rice to lash the shot past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal they had let in since their last visit to the north-east in late September, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.

The Gunners had kept a team best 8 consecutive shutouts in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground.

Arsenal Fight Back

The Black Cats ensured that it was another uncomfortable outing to the area for Arsenal, who were pegged back for periods after the interval.

They required a instance of class, and it arrived in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off Le Fée and a flowing move involving Eze and Merino ended with the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a second goal and the coach introduced three changes to his attack – he sent on the substitute, Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

Trossard Extends the Lead

Another example of quality was not long in coming. They moved the play from right to left, and Trossard, on the edge of the area, found enough space to lash a right-foot strike into the top left corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from Brobbey

The keeper had to be alert in the final stages as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but could not stop an spectacular finish from the substitute after the ball was headed into the penalty area. The goal was greeted by a deafening cheer.

Fittingly the defender – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one coming through the youth system – had the last word with a diving block at the feet of the attacker in the match's final moment.